This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: ROCHA, VILLARREAL, VANVLEET, BUCHANAN, STIER, RUELAS, KNIGHT, MOSER, ESCOBEDO, OLIVARES, GUTIERREZ Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/25882/mb.ashx Message Board Post: ROCHA, Joe Of Kalamazoo Passed away February 23, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. He was born October 5, 1937 in Brownsville, TX to the late Antonio and Alvira (Villarreal) Rocha. Joe was united in marriage on December 8, 1984 to the former Darlene Van Vleet, who survives. Joe proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from July of 1954 until honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, in July of 1970. He also served in the Michigan National Guard for several years and a mailman for Kalamazoo for 21 years. He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo. He was a counselor for drug and alcohol abusers, for 15 years. Also surviving Joe are his children, Lisa K. (Michael) Buchanan of Portage, Jonathon (Dona) Rocha of Kalamazoo, Joseph (Melissa) Rocha of Battle Creek, Laurie (Robert Drenth) Rocha of Kalamazoo, Lana (Patrick) Stier of Kalamazoo, Leiann Rocha of Kalamazoo and Lynette (Steve Esman) Rocha of Portage; 13 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brothers, Peter (Nancy) ! Ruelas, Rudy (Theresa) Ruelas and Joe Rocha; step-children, Suzanne Knight and Scott Moser; six step-grandchildren; several step-great grandchildren; aunts and uncles, Irene Escobedo, Ramona Olivares and Dominga Gutierrez; 16 nieces and nephews; and several cousins. Also preceding Joe in death was; the mother of his children, Janet Rocha; brother, Eugene Rocha; step-children, Chris and Earl Moser. Family will greet friends on Thursday from 6-8:00 o'clock and Friday from 2-4 and 6-8:00 o'clock, where a rosary will be recited at 7:00 o'clock, Friday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Services will take place Saturday, 1:00 o'clock at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 936 Lake Street, Monsignor Michael Hazard, Celebrant. Committal service will follow at the Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Church. Please see www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and co! ndolences. 343-1508 Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on February 26, 2010 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.